NEWS

First World War education resources launched

Education Minister, Huw Lewis launched new cutting-edge educational resources this week, as part of the Welsh Government’s commemoration of the centenary of the First World War.

School pupils from Ysgol Sant Baruc, St John Lloyd RC Primary School and Ysgol Bro Myrddin were among the guests at an event in the Senedd where the Minister described how the Welsh Government, with its partners, is educating young people about the conflict and the important role that Wales played in it.

The educational resources have been developed in partnership with the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. They will enable young people to understand how Wales and the world changed forever as a result of the First World War and the subsequent peace conferences.

The resources are bilingual, cross curricular and contain audio, video, images and texts relating to the War. They include suggested lesson plans and contain links for use against the Literacy and Numeracy Framework.

The resources are just one way that the Welsh Government is encouraging pupils to commemorate the centenary.

Secondary schools are also being offered the chance to apply for a grant of up to £1000 each to fund commemorative and informative projects in their locality.

In addition, the Wales @ War inclusive learning and discovery project includes a ‘Theatres of War’ app. Through the use of geo-technology, pupils will be able to see where soldiers, sailors and airmen fought, fell and are buried and will provide a guide on the conditions that Service personnel faced during the war.

These form part of the Welsh Government’s wider commemorative programme, Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918, which includes national events and exhibitions, accompanied by community-based activities such as researching local war memorials, together with a variety of educational projects and programmes.

Huw Lewis said:“It’s so important that young people in Wales are aware of the sacrifices made by Welsh people during terrible global conflicts throughout history. This is especially relevant in the year we mark 100 years since the start of the First World War. “That’s why I’m so pleased that, with our partners, we’ve developed these resources so young people can better understand the experiences of their ancestors during the War and help ensure that future generations learn the lessons of our past.”

Aled Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive and Librarian, The National Library of Wales added: ”These unique learning resources demonstrate how The National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales collections can genuinely broaden young people’s horizons. What better way of learning about the First World War from a Welsh perspective than through using Welsh sources. “For the first time teachers in Wales will have the resources to present this history using the stories of Welsh people. There is potential within our collections to produce digital learning resources on other themes in the future that meet the needs of teachers and pupils in Wales.”

The resources can be viewed and downloaded from Hwb on https://hwb.wales.gov.uk/ -> Resources -> First World War: Education Project.